Sermons

Connect. Grow. Serve

"Connect-Grow-Serve"

Pastor Scott Oas | 02.07.16

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” - John 1:12 NLT

CONNECTWITH GOD AND OTHERS.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.” - II Corinthians 5:17-18 (NLT)

GROWIN FAITH ALONGSIDE ONE ANOTHER.

“Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.” - Ephesians 4:14-15 (NLT)

SERVETHE CHURCH AND WORLD IN LOVE.

“Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.” - Luke 22:27 (NLT)

“But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.” - I Samuel 12:24

GOING DEEPER

Name a time when you most definitely connected with God? What was that like, how did it make you feel, what were the circumstances? Did you share that experience with anyone?

A CLOSER LOOK:

Read I Cor. 15:1-2. What is so important that Paul has to “remind” the Corinthian’s of? Why?

Read verses 3-6. What are the core essentials about the “Gospel” that are mentioned here? What is so significant about each of these? (take them one at a time) What if we were to pull out any of these essentials, what impact would it have on the “Gospel”? Take out the, “died for our sins” or “he was seen.” What would we be left with?

Verses 5-9. Who is listed as having “seen” Christ? Why is this important to the account?

Verses 10-11. How does Paul account his part in connection to the other apostles? What does he reveal about his actions and about God’s actions in his life? What do you believe is the crux of verse 11?

DIGGING DEEPER:

CONNECT - with God and Others.Given the section of verses we read above, what do you need to “remind” yourself of in staying connected to God? Of things stated above; what about Christ’s action is most meaningful to you? Have you shared that with anyone lately?

GROW - in Faith alongside one another.Read Ephesians 4:14&15. What is the picture here of immaturity,…of maturity? Where do you see yourself on the maturity scale? What would move you deeper?

SERVE - the Church and World in Love.Jesus words; “Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.” Luke 22:27

How is serving being exemplified in your life? Why is serving so important to Jesus?